Electrical connection means



May 9, 1939. H. A. DOUGLAS ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS Filed Jan. 4, 1936 Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED. STATES- 2,158,003 ELECTRICAL comc'rron. MEANS Harry A. Douglas,

Bronson, Mich, assignor to Kingston Products Corporation, a corporation Indiana Application January 4',

' 2o Claims, (Cl.-173- -328) My invention relates to electrical connection means, and more particularly, to electrical connection means adapted for the reception of plug conductor terminals of the snap type. The principal object of my invention is to provide new and improved electrical connection means of these types.

' This application is a continuation in part of my prior application Serial Number 714,080 filed March'5, 1934, a continuation in part of my-earlier.

application Serial Number 574,271, filed November 11, 1931, and issue 1,953,593.

In the drawing accompanying this specification and forming apart of this application, I have shown for purposes of illustration, several forms which my invention may assume, .and in this drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of my invention, showing in addition, a conductor terminal plug, in elevation, cooperating with a part of the embodiment,

Figure 2 is a section corresponding to the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the embodi ment shown in Figures 1 and 2, showing the parts thereof in disassembled relation and drawn to a reduced scale, I I I Figure 4 is a development of theflmducting 30 means forming part of the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, I

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view 01 a different embodiment of my invention, with parts iragmentarily shown in elevation, and including, n. in addition, a conductor terminal plug cooperating with a part or the embodiment,

Figure 6 is a section corresponding to the line 6-8 of Figure5,

. Figure '7 is a perspective view, dr wn to a re- 4 duced scale, of the conducting means forming part oi the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and ,6', Figure 8 is a' development or the conducting means,

Figure 9 is a perspective view, broken away in parts, of another'embodiment of my invention,

and

Figure 10 is a transverse se I ctional view taken centrally o! the embodiment shown in Figure 9. Referring particularly to Figures 1 through 4,

the embodiment of the invention disclosed therein comprises a receiving means, designated generally by the numeral l2. The receiving means l2 includes a tubular member i3, here shown to be of cylindrical form, and preferably made of 55 suitable electrical insulating material. The

d April 3, 1934, Patent 1936, Serial No. 57,620 1 member I3 is provided with a-longitudinal aperture l4, and intermediate its ends, the member i3 is formed with a pair of apertures l5 and I6, desirably oppositely disposed as shown. The apertures l5 and. iii are preferably of rectangular shape, for a purpose that will presently appear. Surrounding the aperture |5 is a boss I! formed integrally'with the member i3 and projecting laterally therefrom. 1

Disposable within the member .|3 is an electrical current conducting means i8, hereshown to be of generally tubular form, and having an outside dimension substantially equal to the diameter of the longitudinal aperture I4. As best shown in development in Figure 4, the conducting means I8 is preferably formed of a flat piece of resilient electric-current conducting material, having a longitudinal margin i9, and laterally projecting portions 20 and 2|, each portion tapering toward the center thereof, and. adjacent their extremities, the portions 20 and 2| taper rather abruptly toward their respective centers, as shown at 22. Intermediate the portions 20 and 2|, the conducting means 18 is provided with a tongue 23 of less lateral extent than the portions 20 and 2|. The flat piece of metal may be formed by a suitable forming or stamping operation, and the metal is then shaped'to substantially cylindrical form, as best shown in Figure 3. In the cylindrical form, the portions 20 and 2| are substantially circular in=transverse cross-section, with the extremities thereof disposed adjacent the longitudinal margin l9, and the portion of the conducting means l8 intermediate the portions 20 and 2| being bent 'to'arcu ate shape generally concentric with the circularly shaped portions. tr'emities of the portions 20 and 2| adjacent the abruptly tapering parts 22 are bent radially inwardly.

To assemble the conducting means IS .with the As shown in Figure 2, the extubular member IS, the conducting fmeans I8, I.

after being properly formed, is inserted into the longitudinal aperture ll of the member 13, from either end, until the cent the aperture IS. A suitable tool (not shown) maybe inserted through the oppositely disposed aperture IE, or through either open end of the tubular member, and the tongue 23 may be pressed or struck inwardly of the aperture i5, as shown in Figure 2. The tongue 28 engages the margins of the rectangular aperture IE to prevent relative movement of the conducting tongue 23 is disposed adjameans with respect to the tubular member i3.

Although the tongue 28 does not engage all four margins of the aperture l5, as shown in Figure 2, it will be evident that the tongue may be proportioned, if desired, so as to abut all of the margins of the aperture 5. Also, it is possible to dispose the tongue 23 in the aperture H5, or to provide the conducting member l8 with two tongues and dispose one in each of the apertures l5 and I6.

In Figure 1 is shown an electrical conductor terminal plug 24, in cooperative relation with the cylindrical portion 20. The terminal plug 24 is formed with a generally cylindrical portion 25 having an annular furrow 26 formed therein, and terminating in a frusto-c'onical end 21. An electric conductor 23, disposed within the' terminal plug 24, may have its bared end swedged to the terminal plug as suggested by the swedge indentations 28 in the frusto-conical end 21.

Assuming that it is desired to electrically connect an electrical conductor to the conductor 23, the former conductor, which is preferably also provided with a terminal plug similar to the terminal plug 24, is inserted into the loop formed by the circular portion 2|, the'frustro-conical end of the terminal plug bearing against the radially inwardly bent extremity of the portion 2|, and further insertion causes this extremity to be cammed outwardly until the annular furrow of the terminal plug is disposed adjacent the abruptly tapered part 22 of the portion 2i, whereupon the part 22 will snap into the annular furrow and mechanically and electrically hold the terminal plug in assembled relation. Removal of the electrical conductor 28, or the electrical conductor engageable with the portion -2|, may be effected by pulling on the respective electrical conductor, such pulling force causing the annular furrow to cam the radially inwardly bent part to permit the withdrawal of the terminal plug. It will be appreciated that the conducting means I8 is proportioned to fit within the tubular member |3 so that the portions 28 and 2| may be properly cammed to permit the insertion and removal of the terminal plugs.

Referring to Figures 5 through 8, the embodiment .cf the invention therein disclosed, comprises a conductor terminal receiving means 30, including a tubular member 3|, preferably formed of insulating material. the member 3| is provided with a longitudinal aperture 32, tapering from the opposite ends of the member 3|, as shown at 33 and 34, to a reduced diameter at the central portion thereof. Each of the tapered portions 33 and 34 is provided with a longitudinal recess, here shown to be arcuate grooves 35 and 38 respectively formed on diametrically opposite portions of the longitudinal aperture 32, and each groove extends beyond the central portion of the member 3|, as shown in Figure 5.

Disposable within the tubular member 3| is a an electrical current conducting means 31, here shown to be of generally tubular form, and having an outside diameter substantially equal to the smallest diameter of the longitudinal aperture 32. As best shown in development in Figure 8, the conducting means 31'is preferably formed of a fiat piece of resilient electric-current conducting material. The flat piece of material has a substantially elongated part 38, and projecting from one side of the elongated part 38 are portions 39 and 40', the inwardly directed margins of which are spaced apart to provide a recess 4|. Adjacent their extremities, each portion is formed with detent elements 42 and 43, displaced In this instance,

from the surface of the respective portions, and

here shown to be pressed into arcuate shape. The inner margins of the portions 39 and 40 are preferably beveled, as shown at 44.

Intermediate the elongated part 38, the flat piece is formed with an abutment 45 displaced from the surface in a direction opposite to that of the detent elements 42 and 43, and shown to be pressed into arcuate shape to conform substantially to the shape of the grooves.35,'36. Projecting from the side of the elongated part opposite to that of the portions 39 and 40, is a centrally disposed tail-piece 46, having its margins converging to a reduced portion 41, here shown to be displaced from the surface in the same direction as the abutment 45, and shaped to conform substantially to the shape of the grooves 35, 36. adapted to operate as an abutment.

The flat piece may be formed as hereinbefore just described, as by a suitable forming or stamping operation, and the piece is thenshaped to generally cylindrical form, as best shown in Figure 7, the end portions 39 and 40 being shaped to generally circular form in transverse section, with the adjacent terminal margins stopping short of abutment, and the portion of the elongated part 38 intermediate the portions 39 and 40 being bent to arcuate shapegenerally concentric with the portions 39 and 40. .As shown, the abutments 45, 41 extend from the transverse outline of the conducting means 31.

The conducting means 31 may be inserted into the aperture 32 of the tubular member 31, and from either end thereof. One of the abutments, for instance the abutment 45 may be aligned with the groove 35, and relative axial movement between the member 3| and the conducting means 31 will cause the abutment 45 to longitudinally traverse the groove 35, and the opposite abutment 41 to bear against the tapering wall of the aperture 32 and be moved radially inwardly, until the. abutment 41 is moved adjacent the central portion of the tubular member 3|, whereupon the abutment 41 will snap into the groove 36, and the abutments 45 and 41 will cooperate with the grooves 35 and 36 to prevent axial movement between the tubular'. member 3| and the conducting means 31. It will be appreciated that the width of the abutments 45 41 is substantially equal to the overlap of the longitudinal grooves-35, 36. I

A terminal plug 48, similar to the terminal plug 24, may be assembled with either end of the conducting member 31, or plugs may be inserted in both ends. As shown in Figurev 5, the terminal plug 48 is already assembled with the portion 39, and to electrically and mechanically connect the electrical conductor of this'plug with an electrical conductor of another similar plug, the latter plug may be inserted into the loop formed by the circular end ll, the detent element 43 hearing against the frustro-conical end of the plug, and relative inserting movement will cause the free end of the portion to be moved radially- In this form, the portion 41 is' outwardly to provide for the passage of the cir- 'cular portion of the terminal plug, the detent element 43 snapping into the annular furrow formed in the terminal plug. Withdrawal of the terminal plugs may be effected by pulling on the electrical conductor, such pulling force causing the annular furrow of the plug being withdrawn to cam the adjacent detent element outwardly to permit removal of the plug.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the embodiment of the invention therein disclosed comprises an electrical insulating member 49, having a plurality of longitudinal apertures formed therein.

In this instance, three longitudinal apertures 50 are shown, the apertures being spaced cen-' trally of the member and generally 120 degrees apart. Each of the apertures 50 communicates with a centrally located transverse aperture. 5!

leading to the outer surface of the member 49.

Disposable in-each aperture 50 is an-electrical conductor means 52, here shown to be similar to the conducting means I 8 disclosed in Figures 1 through '4. As before, each of the conducting means 52 is formed with atongue 53 adapted to be pressed into abutting relation with the-mar-' gins of the transverse apertures St to hold the respective conducting means 52 in position in with'the conducting means 52.

'From the foregoing it will be apparent to thos skilled in the art that. the illustratedembodiments of 'my invention provide a new and im proved electrical connection means, economical in construction and assembly, and accordingly,

accomplish at least the principal object of my invention. It further will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiments of my invention may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit of my invention, or sacrificing all of the advantages thereof, and that accordingly, the disclosure herein is illustrative only, and my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

. 1. Connectingmeans for electrical conductors, comprising: a member, having a generally longitudinal aperture, and also having a generallytransverse recess; and current conducting means disposed within said longitudinal aperture, and having an intermediate transverse portion partially'interrupted; a tongue formed at said'interrupted portion, adapted to be bent into said transverse recess, and when so bent, being engageable with-the, margins of said recess to hold.

said member and said conducting means in assembled relation; and end portions, formed by said interrupted portions, said end portions being transversely curved, and providing means to yieldably engage and hold a conductor terminal.

2. Connecting means for electricalconductors,

comprising: a member, having a generally longitudinal aperture formed with radially spaced longitudinal grooves extending inwardly from opposite ends of said member, each terminating intermediate the ends of said member; and current conducting means disposed withinsaid longitudinal aperture, and having abutments constructed and arranged toen e the ,terminating margins of said grooves, thereby to hold said member and said conducting .means in assembled relation.

. 3. Connecting means for electrical conductors,

comprising: a body having a chamber having an entrance opening; a generally tubular currentconducting member so constructed and arranged and so disposed in said chamber that it forms a jack adapted to yieldably grip a conductor terminalthrust thereinto through said entrance opening, said member having at least a portion longitudinally split, said portion being transversely expansible and contraetable by flexure of said portion changing the relative position.

of the margins of the split; and means, interlocking said body and said member, comprising cooperating abutment surfaces of said chamber and of said member extending transversely of said tubular member and so constructed and arrangedjthat by telescoping movement of said member and said chamber while at least said portion of said member is so contracted, said member and said body are brought into assembled position in which such expansion of at least said portion causes interlocking of said member and said body, and when in interlocking relation said member is positively-held interlocked with said body by said cooperating surfaces against forces dueto insertion or withdrawal of a conductor terminal into or from said jack.

4. Connecting means for electrical conductors";

comprising: a.body having a chamber having an entrance opening; a generally tubular our-- rent-conducting .member so constructed and arranged and so disposed in said chamber that it forms a jack adapted to yieldably grip a conductor terminal thrust thereinto through said entrance opening, said member having at least a'portion longitudinally split, said portion being transversely expansible and contractable by flexure of said portion changing the relative po-"- sition of the margins of said split; and means, interlocking said body and said member, spaced from said entrance opening and disposed at a place where said body is 'imperforate, and comprising cooperating abutment surfaces of said chamber and said member extending transversely of said tubular member and so constructed and arranged that by telescopingmovement of said member and said chamber while at least said portion ofv said member is contracted, said memher and said body are brought into assembled position in which such expansion of at least said portion causes interlocking of said member and said body, and when in interlocking relation said member is positively held interlocked with said body by said cooperating surfaces against force's due ,to insertion or withdrawal of a conductor terminal into or from said-jack;

5. Connecting means for electrical conductors,

comprising: a body having a'chamber having" entrance openings at opposite ends of said body;

a generally tubular current-conducting member. so-constructed and arranged'and so disposed in saidchamber that said member forms oppositelydirected-jacks adapted to yieldably grip conductor terminals thrust thereinto through said entrance openings, said member having at least a portion longitudinally split, said portion being transversely expansible and contractable by I flexur'e of said portion changing the relative positionof the margins ofsaid split; .and means, interlocking said body and said member, disposed intermediate said entrance openings at a place where said bodyis imperforate, and comprising cooperatingabutment surfaces of said chamber and said member-extending transversely. of said tubular member and so constructed andarranged that by telescoping movement of said member and saidchamber while at least I said portion of said member is so contracted, said member and said bodyar brought into assembled position in which such e ansion oi at least to yieldably grip a conductor terminal thrust said member is positively held interlocked with said body by said cooperating surfaces against forces due toinsertion or withdrawal of con ductor terminals into or from said jacks.

6. Connecting means for electrical conductors, comprising: a body having a chamber having an entrance opening; a generally tubular currentconducting member disposed in said chamber and having two pairs of portions longitudinally split, at least one pair providing a jack adapted thereinto throughzsaid entrance opening; at least a plurality of said portions being transversely expansible and contractable by flexure of said portions changing the relative position of the margins of a split; and means, interlocking said body and said member, comprising cooperating abutment surfaces of said chamber and of said member extending transversely of said tubular member and so constructed and arranged that by telescoping movement of said member and said chamber while at least one of said portions of said member are so contracted, said member and said body are brought into assembled position in which such expansion of at least a plurality of said portions causes interlocking of said member and said body, and when in interlocking relation said member is positively held interlocked with said body by said cooperating surfaces against forces due to insertion or withdrawal of a conductor terminal into or from said jack.

'7. Connecting means for electrical conductors, comprising: a member, having an aperture preformed with longitudinal grooves in its walls extending inwardly from opposite ends of said aperture; said grooves terminating in shoulders within said member; and current conducting means disposed within said aperture, having means adjacent its extremities for receiving and resiliently retaining conductor terminal means,

said conducting means being provided with opsaid chamber, and having its end portions constructed and arranged to form oppositely-directed jacks each adapted to. receive and yieldably hold conductor terminals independently of the other, and said member being provided with integral abutment surfaces adjacent the inner extremities of said jacks constructed and arranged to engage said chamber abutment surfaces providingthe sole means to positively hold said member against axial movement within said chamber in either direction.

9. Connecting means for electrical conductors, comprising: a one piece body of insulating material having a chamber having entrance openings at opposite ends of said body; a generally tubular current-conducting member insertable through either of said entrance openings so constructed and arranged and so disposed in said chamber that said member forms oppositelyaisaoos directed jacks adapted to independently yieldably grip conductor terminals thrust thereinto through said entrance openings; and means, interlocking said body and said member, comprising cooperating abutment surfaces, which are respectively integral portions of said chamber and of saidmember, extending transversely of said tubular member between said jacks and so constructed and arranged that'by telescoping movement of said member, and said chamber, said member and said body are brought into interlocking relation, and when in interlocking relation said member is positively held interlocked with said body by said cooperating surfaces against forces due to insertion or withdrawal of conductor terminals into or from said jacks. I

10. Connecting means for electrical conductors, comprising: a member, having a generally longitudinal aperture, and also having a generally transverse abutment; and a one piece current conducting means disposed within said longitudinal aperture, andhaving an intermediate transverse portion partially interrupted;

integral means formed adjacent said interrupted portion, adapted to be pressed to interlock with said transverse abutment, and when so pressed, being engageable with the walls of said abutment to hold said member and said conducting 11. Connecting means for electrical conductors, comprising: a one piece body, having a chamber having entrance openings at opposite ends of said body, said chamber being formed with abutment means intermediate its ends; and a one piece generally tubular current-conducting member, disposed entirely within said chamber, and having its end portions so constructed and arranged that they are individually resiliently radially movable, said end portions being adapted to engage and yieldably hold conductor termiof said member being provided ,with integral abutment means bent to engage-said chamber abutment means to hold said, member in predetermined assembled relation with respect to said body against axial movement in .either direction.

12. Connecting means for electrical conductors, comprising: a body having a chamber having an entrance opening; a generally tubular currentconducting member so constructed and arranged and sodisposed in said chamber that it forms a jack adapted to yieldably grip a conductor terminal thrust thereinto through said entrance chamber said member and said body are brought into assembled position in which expansion of at least said portion causes interlocking of said member and said body, and when in interlocking relation said member is positively held interlocked with said body by said. cooperating surfaces nals insaid chamber, the intermediate portion against forces due to insertion or withdrawal of a conductor terminal into or from said jack.

13. An electrical connecting device consisting of two members; one being a generally-tubular open ended body of insulating material; the other being a circuit continuing member insertable through either end of said body to a predetermined position entirely therewithin, and having an integral resilient portion adapted to hold a conductor terminal to said body; a recess provided intermediate the extremities of oneof said members; and short means integral with and project-t ing from a side of the other whereby said means may be distorted into said recess to positively and permanently lock said members together.

14. An electrical connecting device consisting of two members of generally tubular formation adapted to be inseparably connected; one being an open ended body of insulation; the other being a circuit continuing member insertable through either end of the body to a predetermined position entirely therewithin; and means for locking the members in permanent assembly, including cooperative means provided on one member, and short means integral with and projecting from a side of the other member into permanent interlocking relation with said cooperating means; both of said means being substantially incapable of movement with respect to each other and to the members once the parts are locked in assembly.

15. An electric connector comprising a single piece of insulating material provided with an aperture extending therethrough, the material intermediate the extremities of said aperture being constructed to provide substantially rigid shoulders, an insert of generally cylindrical tubular formation disposed entirely within said aperture, said insert being formed with resilient portions adjacent each extremity providing a receptacle for receiving a plug conductor having a groove therein, and a detent arranged in each receptacle whereby said resilient portions cooperate to press said detent into said terminal groove, and oppositely disposed spaced apart in- 'tegral portions provided on said insert engageable with said shoulders whereby to hold said piece and said insert in assembly.

16. An electric connector comprising a single piece of insulating material provided with an aperture extending therethrough, said aperture being enlarged 'at its ends to form recesses joined by an intermediate portion to provide shoulders, an insert of generally cylindrical tubular formation disposed in said aperture, said insert being formed with at least one resilient portion adjacent each extremity providing a receptacle for receiving a plug conductor terminal having a groove threin, and a detent arranged in each receptacle whereby said resilient portions cooperate to press said detents into said terminal grooves, at least a pair of spaced apart integral portions of said insert projecting into engagement with said shoulders whereby to hold said piece and said insert in assembly.

17. An electric connector comprising a single piece of insulating material provided with an aperture extending therethrough, said aperture being enlarged at its ends to form recesses Joined by the intermediate portion of said material, the inner extremity of each recess forming with said intermediate portion a shoulder, an insert of generally cylindrical tubular formation disposed in said apertu're, said insert being provided with at least a pair of resilient portions at least one of which provides a receptacle for receiving a plug conductor terminal having a groove therein,- and a detent arranged in said receptacle whereby said resilient portion is adapted to press said detent into said terminal groove, an integral poraperture extending therethrough, a pair of spaced.

apart shoulders arranged intermediate the ends of said piece .within its confines, an insert of generally cylindrical tubular formation disposed in said aperture, said insert being formed with portions adjacent each extremity providing a receptacle for receiving and yieldably retaining a conductor terminal having a groove therein, a.

detent arranged in each receptacle with at least one of said portions acting to press said detent and said groove into cooperation, a pair of oppositely disposed spaced apart projection means formed on said insert projecting substantially in engagement with said shoulders whereby to hold said piece and said insert in assembly.

19. An electrical connection comprising a single piece of insulating material provided with an aperture extending therethrough, said aperture being enlarged at its ends to form recesses, the material between said recesses forming, a pair of shoulders, an insert of generally cylindrical tilbular formation disposed in said piece of insulating. material, said insert being formed with a resilient portion at each extremity thereof, said resilient portions providing receptacles for receiving a plug conductor terminal having a groove therein, and a detent arranged in each receptacle to cooperate with said terminal groove, portions of said insert engaging said shoulders, whereby to hold said piece of insulating material and said insert in assembled relation.

20. An electrical connector comprising a single piece of insulating material provided with an aperture extending therethrough, said aperture being enlarged at its ends to form recesses, the

material between said recesses forming a pair of 

